California flash floods cause chaos as 5ft-deep mud engulfs cars

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Floods have swept mud and rocks across Interstate 5 in California, trapping hundreds of vehicles and motorists
Firefighters spotted rescuing people who had clambered on top of their cars in bid to escape fast-flowing water
People stuck in their homes as heavy downpours and series of lightning strikes hit towns north of Los Angeles
Up to 1.5ins of rain fell in just hours as violent storm makes it way east; there are no reports of injuries or deaths

Published: 00:25 EST, 16 October 2015 | Updated: 09:28 EST, 16 October 2015

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Flash floods in California have caused mud and rocks to sweep across major roads outside of Los Angeles, stranding hundreds of vehicles and trapping people in their homes.

Violent storms sparked huge downpours at Fort Tejon - 75 miles north of the city - bringing the freeway to a halt as 5ft-deep mud engulfed cars.

Firefighters rescued people who clambered on top of their vehicles to escape the sudden flow of water, but there are no reports of injuries or deaths.

As night fell yesterday, lightning bolts were seen shooting across the sky, striking various parts of the city, including Antelope Vally and Santa Clarita.

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Stormy: Lightning bolts are pictured shooting across the sky and striking north of Los Angeles's Antelope Valley on Thursday night

Trapped: Flash floods in California have caused mud and rocks to sweep across major roads outside of the city, stranding hundreds of vehicles and trapping people in their homes

Chaos: violent storms brought huge downpours at Fort Tejon - 75 miles north of LA - bringing the freeway (Interstate 5 pictured) to a halt as 5ft deep mud engulfed cars

Queue: Up to 1.5ins of rain fell in just hours, with the storms set to shift slowly eastward through Friday. Above, flooding at Lake Hughes

The extreme weather brought Interstate 5 to a standstill, while a number of other roads have also been closed.

Robert Rocha, 37, was driving home from work when the storm arrived at Lake Hughes.

He said: 'It was getting pretty hairy out there.'

'I've never seen it rain that hard in such a short period of time, the hail and wind — it was coming down hard. The debris was just intense — chunks of wood and rock flowing everywhere.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Captaint Keith Mora said four people and two dogs were rescued from atop one car.

Many more were able to walk to safety after waiting out the flood on top of their own vehicles, he said.

'They were able to use their vehicles as a security blanket, to stand on top of and stay higher than the flood water,' Mora said.

Up to 1.5ins of rain fell in just hours, with the storm expected to shift slowly eastward through Friday, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Joe Sirard said.

Fierce: Lightning strikes above Santa Clarita Stormy on Wednesday night due to a low-pressure system that also sparked downpours

Lighting up the sky: A bolt of lightning appears to travel almost horizontally through the sky above the Antelope Valley late Thursday

Rescue: Firefighters rescued people who clambered on top of their car to escape the flow of water. Pictured, flooding near Lake Hughes

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for parts of northwestern Los Angeles County and northeastern Ventura County

On Interstate 5, up to 5ft of mud covered the northbound lanes, which were expected to take up to a day to clear, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lauren Wonder said. The southbound lanes had less mud and were expected to reopen more quickly.

Thousands of cars and trucks were backed up for miles on the inland route that runs the length of California.

Jennifer Stewart said she had just picked up her 17-year-old daughter from school in Lake Hughes when the storm's 60mph winds hit.

'The hail was so bad I thought it was going to crack my windshield,' she said.

Thunderstorm: Lightning bears down on Santa Clarita on Wednesday - as stormy weather and strong winds affected people across LA

Muddy: Dark, muddy water rushes down the canyon under Lake Hughes Road north of Castaic Lake on Thursday following downpours

Interstate 5 (pictured) came to a standstill while a number of other roads have also been closed because of the flash floods

Stewart said she was among about 30 motorists who were left stranded on a local road. Everyone was calm, she said.

'It's kind of like a tailgate party without the party,' she said. 'Everyone's just quietly sitting in their cars talking among themselves.'

The NWS issued flash flood warnings for parts of northwestern Los Angeles County and northeastern Ventura County, advising motorists to avoid those areas.

'Turn around, don't drown,' the NWS said in a statement. 'Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.'